VTSMX vs. VTSAX
VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX returned 14.88%/yr vs 15.06%/yr for VTSAX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTSMX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.
Performance
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VTSMX having a 10.70% return and VTSAX slightly higher at 10.72%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTSMX having a 14.88% annualized return and VTSAX not far ahead at 15.06%.
VTSMX
- 1D
- 1.14%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 10.70%
- 6M
- 9.91%
- 1Y
- 27.47%
- 3Y*
- 20.31%
- 5Y*
- 12.63%
- 10Y*
- 14.88%
VTSAX
- 1D
- 1.14%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 10.72%
- 6M
- 9.93%
- 1Y
- 27.56%
- 3Y*
- 20.66%
- 5Y*
- 12.87%
- 10Y*
- 15.06%
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares | 10.70% | 16.63% | 22.76% | 26.38% | -19.60% | 25.59% | 20.87% | 30.63% | -5.27% | 21.05% |
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 10.72% | 17.12% | 23.23% | 26.51% | -19.52% | 25.72% | 20.98% | 30.79% | -5.18% | 21.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTSMX and VTSAX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000 | 1.00 |
The correlation between VTSMX and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTSMX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank
VTSMX
VTSAX
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VTSMX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.38 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.06 | 3.07 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.72 | 13.77 | -0.06 |
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Drawdowns
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTSMX drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, roughly equal to the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSMX and VTSAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTSMX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.38% | -55.33% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.93% | -8.92% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.63% | -19.36% | -0.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.43% | -25.36% | -0.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.98% | -34.97% | -0.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.13% | -1.13% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.89% | -8.99% | +0.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 1.99% | 0.00% |
Volatility
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) have volatilities of 4.88% and 4.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTSMX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.88% | 4.88% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.11% | 10.11% | 0.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.81% | 12.80% | +0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.46% | 17.45% | +0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.45% | 18.45% | 0.00% |
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTSMX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTSMX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison
VTSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than VTSAX's 1.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.01% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.42% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.41% | 1.76% | 2.03% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares | 0.94% | 0.75% | 0.89% | 1.33% | 1.54% | 1.11% | 1.33% | 1.67% | 1.92% | 1.61% | 1.83% | 1.86% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, VTSMX and VTSAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VTSAX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to VTSMX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSMX dropped -55.38% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.
VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.13), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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